You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

2 Corinthians 3

In Paul’s “letter of tears”, he is trying to again win the hearts of those he invested heavily into. So he uses the imagery of the letters that he writes to them being eclipse by the letters written in their very hearts by God’s Spirit.

I thought it challenging to imagine myself in Paul’s position. But rather, I find that I identify more with the Corinthians here-having forgotten the people who have poured their lives into mine to make me who I am.

It made me ask, “who has written on my heart?”

I think of Harvey, my first youth counselor. I didn’t particularly like his strictness but I knew that he had deep devotion to God that rubbed off on me.

I think of Kensen, my high school counselor, who had a great big heart for the students and tried his best to serve us.

I think of Kathy, Corinth, and Olivia, who helped me transition into college, leaving a legacy of college ministry.

I think of my college mates-Jen, Brad, Lena, Jkim, Greg, Nesreen, Patrice, David, Jintaek, Jay. Peers who have in various ways pushed me, loved me, was patient with me, and helped me to be a great leader.

I think of IHOP and the leadership of Mike Bickle, Allen. I think of Bethel, and the leadership of Bill. I think of Hillsong and their legacy of worship.

I think of John, Ben, Ann, Ben at Epicentre, who helped me when I arrived at California to blossom my love for God, his presence, and for church planting.

I think of my peers now-the Weeks, the Fongs, the Hunts, the Sears, Gottusos, people who continue to help me love God as a parent.

And I think of my wife Esther who, by her example of love, service, and kindness push me to be a better man.

The list could go on and on, but I say that to show that there are a plethora of people who have their names on my heart. People who, at one point in time, empowered by the Spirit, and the willingness to serve, planted seeds in me so that I could become who I am.

Seeing those names points to the fact that “no man is an island” and we are the product, not just of our hard-work, talent, or ingenuity, but rather the service and love of people.

We are great, yes because of our effort, and because of God’s grace, but because of the people around us. And the cluster of people is a mercy and a gift from God above who knows that we need community to flourish.

No one is an island. And certainly not your heart. Which begs the question: Who has written on your heart?